Thursday, April 15, 2010

Sean Hannity Recalled To Fox For Headlining Tea Party Event

Angry Fox News executives ordered host Sean Hannity to abandon plans to broadcast his nightly show as part of a Tea Party rally in Cincinnati on Thursday after top executives learned that he was set to headline the event, proceeds from which would benefit the local Tea Party organization.

Rally organizers had listed Hannity, who is on a book tour, as the headliner of the four-hour Tax Day event at the University of Cincinnati. The rally, expected to draw as many as 13,000 people, was set feature speakers such as “Liberal Facism” author Jonah Goldberg and local Tea Party leaders. Participants were being charged a minimum of $5, with seats near Hannity’s set going for $20, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, which reported that any profits would go to future Tea Party events. Media Matters for America noted that Hannity’s personal website directed supporters to a link to buy tickets for the Cincinnati rally.

I found this story to be priceless. It is my opinion that Hannity was pulled from performing because of recent comments made by News Corporation owner Rupert Murdoch, stating that his network should not be actively promoting the Tea Party movement, but I think there is more to it then just that. Because of Fox News' involvement in promoting the Tea Parties in the past, the cable news station had brought on increased scrutiny for their actions, and with the head honcho playing dumb and stating Fox News is actually in the news business, the executives have less of an opportunity to turn their head and get away with it, but, I don't think this change will remain. Wait until the Tea Messiah, Glenn Beck, or the Oracle of Wasilla, Palin, headline a local Tea Party event. Then see how Fox News reacts. Hannity is not the name it once was now that pretty boy Beck is on the scene, and with the additional scrutiny on Hannity because of his fraudulent activities involving his Freedom Concerts, Fox knows its skating on thin ice.